HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2811, 26 August 1908, Page 10

HORTICULTURAL NOTES.

Bx J. Gebbii.

iNCABVJLL-EA DELAVATT. This is a. hardy perennial plant of recent introduction, Ifc was discovered by a Fj-ench missionary on a lofty mountain in Yunnan, Wesfc China, at an elevation of 80C0ft to 11,000 ft. Seeds were distributed m England in 1893, and two yeare later ib was flowered in a cool greenhouse .at Kew. Since that time it has proved itself quite hardy, end will pass through the severest winter uninjured. The plant has . stout fleshy roots, from which spring the deciduous fleshy bright green leaves. The fiower scape varies from lft to 2ft or more in length, and bears numerous tranipetahaped blooms, 2in long and 2ia wide, of A lich rc-50 colour, with a few purple streaks and a, tinge oi yellow in the throat. Seeds are easily g.rown, but the first season make little progress, but if planted oufc where they are to bloom and leffc undisturbed tifrey will become thoroughly established, and the third season from the seed will amply repay the long wait by a profusion of bloom. ABOUT FUCHSIAS. | Old plants of fuchsias which have been ' stoi-ad away for the winter months should now be brought, to the light a-ud starred into growth. It in pots, repotting need 1 not be done rill growth commences. Where no Artificial heat ie available the plants will , be a httle longer of starting- into growth ! fehan if introduced into a genial growing temperature. By syringing the plants on , aimny days they will be induced 1 to puth ! sooner titan would otherwise be the case. When growth ooinmenoes, the \vocti of last season may be shortened back. When . fairly started, jounp growths 3in to 4in in length are soon produced, and these can be taken off and put in as cuttings. Fuchsias struck from cuttings in spring may be grown 6ft high, well furnished, hflndsonio specimens, in 12 months from the time of striking. Young plants are always more satisfactory than tho old stock. For planting out the okl plant? are to bo preferred, but for house deeo-ration mediumsized young plants are th« beat. Starting with a rooted cutting, pot tJiem off singly into tho smallest-sized pots available, in & inixtaire or loam, loaf-mould, «nd sand, replace them in a close fram-o ami shade for a few (lays. After this tihey will bear full exposure to light and air. but should : nover suffer from want of wat«r, as the ; object; it, to .secure bus/by plants witli green j foliage lo tho 'rim of tb© pot. Ac eocn 1 os they have grown to the height of 3in cv , 4in, pinch off tHeir points, whioh will in» ' due© tiheni to break freely. Keep them well syringed and free from insect pests. At tho pots become filled with roots, shift into a "size- larger and keep them in the frame. At nights in favourable weather the lights can be removed' altogethor, as they gteally enjoy the dew. When the shoote hax& broken well and grown a few indies, the- points should again bo pinched off »o ac to induce a bushy growth. When petting inio siu or 6in pete, about one-

third part of decayed manure should be used instead of leaf-mould. W3ien well and freely grown, no plants are better fitted for the summer and autumn decoration of the greenhouse or conservatory, and 1 they are the best things to use for house decoration, being well fitted by size, beauty of flower, and graceful habit for any decorative purpose. When the plants are no longer fit for indoor decoration, they can be wintered in a place free from frost, and if not wanted for growing into larger specimens, they can be planted into the open borders or flower-beds, where they will grow and bloom profusely for months. Should the tope suffer during a severe winter, they ■will push out from the roots or base of | tlie stem when the growing season sets in I with renewed vigour. SPRING FLOWERS. A few days ago I was in a garden wlrare a few plants of pelargoniums were in full bloom. The position was against the wall of a dwelling having a sunny aspect. Tho varieties were Her Majesty and Volanto nationale, with a- few others. These plants are not Ices than seven or eight y-ears old, and 4ave occupied the same spot since ' turced out of the cuttings pots. In this position tihey are always in bloom, and the trusses now are as fine as if grown under glass, showing that these Regale and 1 deco- ' jrative varieties of pelargoniums can be growni satisfactorily with little protection. : In other gaaxlens about the district may" be , seen nice clumps of the winter aconi+e , (Eraothis hyemalis), a hardy dwarf bulb .' which comes into bloom, before the snow- ! drops. Mowers and foliage are about 3in 'high, the colour of the bloom is yellow. { Makes a pretty edging, and will grow in any common garden, soil and in any eitua- ' tion. _ Crocuses in various colours are . flowering freely, making us feel fahat winter is past, even although tlie temperature feels > wintry. Th<j blue grape hyacinth is also showing colour in some favoured localities, and a few of the earlier forms of narciesiis are also in bloom, forerunners of a wealth ' of bloom to follow. Cherry plums, peaches, and apricots are swelling their blossom buds fast, and in a few days, if the weather is mild, will be a sheet' of bloom. ' All fruit trees in this district (O&maru) are wiell set with blossom buds, apples andpeairs especially so. Pyrus japonica blooms i nearly all the winter, but is now about at , its best. Berberis japonica is also nicely , in bloom, and 1 other shrubs will follow. : Another "month of general spring weather, ' and our gardens will wear a different, xppearance, unfolding leaves and opening flowers will* beautify the earth, and minis- | ter delight to the cultivator and all others who' delight in Nature. I